Shelby felt no such compunction. Unbuckling her seat belt, she threw open her door and slammed it shut with a bang.
Watching her energetic daughter bound over the curb onto the sidewalk, Greer emerged more slowly from the Blazer, and then took a minute to lock the doors, even though no one in Homestead had ever done so in the past.
Shelby didnt wait for her mom at the entry, but shoved open one of the peeling double doors and disappeared inside, causing a bell over the door to jingle. Such a small thing, but Greer was further catapulted back to her childhood, when shed trailed up these steps after her dad, clutching money shed earned doing chores around the farm. Robert Bell, always stern, invariably scolded her for spending every last penny on books, knickknacks and candy. And yetdespite his own thrifty ways, hed never tried to stop her. The memory was a sharp reminder of all shed lost.
A lump settled in her throat as a string of familiar scents wafted past on the breeze created as Shelby let the door bang shut. Greer knew what her daughter would find inside. Oak barrels of varying sizes, brimming with gourmet goodies. Well, gourmet by Homesteads standards. Delicacies such as home-cured jerky, fat dill pickles, peppermint drops, or specialties like imported teas. Seasonally, Mrs. Tanner stocked spicy cinnamon-orange, or pear-and-apple blend. For as far back as Greer could remember, stepping into Tanners had been like walking into a treasure trove. Food was the least of what they offered. Collectibles, toys, Christmas ornaments, kitchen gadgets and sundry gifts hung from the ceiling or were tucked in a myriad of cubbyholes. Shed have to bribe Shelby with a second trip to town if she hoped to pry her out of the store anytime soon.
Needing to let her eyes adjust to the dim interior after leaving the bright fall sun, Greer hesitated beside a barrel of shiny red apples. She supported herself against it to make sure her jelly knees werent going to let her down.
Once, shed loved this store. Loved this town. She blinked rapidly to stave off tears she thought had all been shed long ago, and attempted to locate Shelby, all while compiling observationswell-oiled dark oak floors, a painted tin ceiling, dancing wind chimes tinkling softly in the lazy breeze of a fan. Her gaze skipped over the clerk standing behind the counter. She did notice he operated a more modern cash register than she recalled.
A customer laughed at something the clerk said. Greer judged both men to be a bit older than her almost twenty-seven years. It was hard to tell until her eyes adjusted. But she was reassured that something had changed. Affable LeRoy Tanner, a contemporary of Greers dad, obviously no longer owned the store. LeRoy and his wife had been fixtures in town forever, it seemed.
In her sporadic letters, Greers mother had indicated that a number of old-time residents had fallen on hard luck and left town.
A booming voice addressed Greer by name, and she snapped her head around. Realizing it was one of the men at the counter, she squinted to see better.
Shelby abandoned the Madam Alexander doll she was inspecting to burrow into Greers side. Mama, that man knows you, she said in a stage whisper.
Greer cleared her throat. Im sorry, youahhave me at a disadvantage. Im still sun-blind. She was pretty sure it was the clerk whod spoken, yet it was the customer who galvanized her attention. A good two inches shorter but broader-shouldered than the clerk, the customer wore typical rancher garbsquare-heeled boots, blue jeans and a long-sleeved cotton shirt. It was his arresting blue eyes under a worn baseball cap that gave her pause. Not your typical cowboy, but in spite of the general consensus, there was more to Texas than cowboys.
Im Edmond Tanner, the clerk said, rounding the counter with his hand outstretched. My dad, LeRoy, wouldve been here at the time you left. Ive gotta confess, your hair gave you away. Idve known those red curls even if Loretta hadnt told us you were due to get in today, Greer. His hearty chuckle was cut short by a rib-jab from his companion.
Oops, forgive my bad manners. Edmond cocked his thumb like a pistol. I figured you two knew each other. GreerNoah Kelley. ErI reckon I oughta call him Father Kelley. With your dad being on the church board and all, I assumed Loretta had passed on the news about Father Holdens stroke. Were lucky the greater regional Episcopal council saw fit to let Noah fill in until his pops back on his feet.
Greer reeled at the announcement and did a double take. Now she remembered Noah Kelley. Theyd both been much younger. And he had certainly changed. Holdens son used to wear his hair slicked down. Hed lookedwell, stiff in starched white shirts and the requisite Sunday suit.
Noah responded to the lengthy introduction with a dismissive shrug. Id probably graduated from college and entered seminary before you got out of high school, so theres no reason youd know I ended up an associate priest at a church in Austin foroh, more years than I care to think about. Time sure flies.
Ed Tanner stroked his chin. Youre gettin old, Noah. I forgot your mom recently ordered a cake for your, uh, thirty-second birthday wasnt it?
Thirty-first, Noah said, playfully aiming a punch at Eds bony arm. Years come and years go. Think how long youve been an old married man, Ed. Why dont we forget age and just welcome Greer home. Noahs eyes rested on her briefly. I do remember you, he said after a pause. You wore pigtails and were nearer the age ofis the charming girl at your side your daughter?
Yep, my name is Shelby, the child piped up without a shred of modesty.
Noahs teeth flashed in a grin. Well, I hope Ill have the privilege of seeing both of you lovely ladies again soon. At church on Sunday?
No, you wont, Greer shot back so quickly it surprised everyone. We havent even moved in yet. She grabbed Shelbys hand and hurriedly collected a shopping cart. How did she tell the local Episcopal priest that she hadnt darkened a church door since shed left Homesteadbecause his dad had been instrumental in convincing her parents to send her into exile? Noah Kelley was a sneaky one. Not only didnt he resemble any man of God Greer had ever seen, where the heck was his identifying collar? How dared he go about town looking like an ordinary rancher.
Come on, Shelby, lets start with vegetables. Greer aimed her cart toward the very back of the store where she remembered Tanners displayed fresh produce. Talk about bad luck. Of all the people shed give anything not to run into here in Homestead, a relative of Father Holden Kelley topped her list.
In the occasional letters Greer received from her mom, Loretta Bell had probably avoided mentioning Holden or any member of his church board on purpose. No surprise there, given the shouting match theyd all had ten years ago.
NOAH EXCHANGED a blank look with Ed. Intrigued, he excused himself and hurried down the aisle after the woman and girl. He caught up quickly because Shelby had stopped to inspect a rack of kids books. My invitation to attend church remains open for whenever you get settled, Greer. Attendance at St. Marks fell off even before Pops stroke. My main goal is to recapture the strayed or lost, he said, turning up the wattage on a slightly crooked smile. Id especially like to entice back young families such as yours. Noahs bright gaze again shifted to Shelby. Youd be eight or nine? We have a growing Sunday school that would gladly make room for one more. Perhaps your mom remembers Debra Coleville, or she may have been Debra Rooney then. She teaches a combined second-and third-grade class.